Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader Simon Ekpa has been arrested in Finland alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing.
Reports from local publication Yle indicate that Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
In a statement released on Thursday, November 21, the Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrest of five individuals suspected of terrorist activities.
According to the police, Simon Ekpa, identified as the main suspect, was detained “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” while the four others were apprehended “for financing a terrorist crime.”
“The detention demands are related to a preliminary investigation in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” the police said.
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The police statement further revealed: “Claims will be heard in Päijät-Häme district court today, November 21.”
The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland by means that have led to violence against civilians and authorities as well as other crimes in the region of South-Eastern Nigeria.”
Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen, head of the investigation, stated: “The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.”
The four other suspects are accused of financing the activities under investigation. “All five suspects of the crime have been arrested during the beginning of the week,” the statement confirmed, adding that international cooperation has been integral to the preliminary investigation.
Ekpa is accused of coordinating violent actions against civilians and authorities in Nigeria’s South-East region from Finland, using social media platforms to further his agenda.
In 2023, Ekpa was briefly detained on allegations of fundraising fraud.
He had declared in a widely circulated social media video, “No elections will be held! Nigerian elections will not be allowed in Biafran territory.”